Water meter - who checks it

Soot2006

I venture onto this forum for the first time having survived the house prices forum (gave me a realistic mindset), then the mortgage forum (got that!), then the house buying forum (am now officially a FTB!) ...

HiP says we have a water meter.

Vendors left a welcome note that includes meter readings for gas, electric & water ...

Gas & electric are correct, but I can't find the water meter? It says "16" on their note.

I have identified what looks like a newish mini-manhole on the pavement that I think might be the meter, but I can't open it! Can't find anything else in street, house or garden in that vaguely resembles a meter or meter hidey-hole.

So, should the water meter be something I have access to, or is it something the water company will come to look at without my help?

Thanks for any help!

scope

I certainly have access to mine.. It is usually out on the pavement and (certainly here) under a plastic cover I can flip open with a screw driver.

edit: The water company comes and reads the meter around here, we dont have to worry about it.

Soot2006

That's helpful, thanks. I admit I have not tried to lift anything with any tools - just manually. I'm still scared I'll break something. Never owned something as valuable as a house before!
If water company come to read it that's good enough for me!

deanos

If you have moved in you need to get your start reading, ring the water company and ask them where the meter is there should be a location on the system, read the meter and ring it in.

If you cant find it ask them to come out and read it for your start reading.

Can you take a picture of the cover in question ?

oldagetraveller

The cover usually lifts with a screwdriver ( as already mentioned previously) quite easily using a slot on it's edge and there will possibly be a polystyrene cover over the meter (frost protection). However, my water company, Severn Trent, prefer to install the meter inside the house with an accessible remote sensor for the meter reader to use. My meter is under the sink above the main stop valve. If yours isn't outside then it could be near the stop valve inside the property.